Boost for city jobs as Block J gets £5.5 million funding

More than 300 jobs will be created in £5.5 million hotel and office development in a city centre.

Coast to Capital, the Local Enterprise Partnership for West Sussex, Croydon, Brighton & Hove, Lewes and the Gatwick Diamond has backed a plan to develop derelict land near Brighton station.

Block J was part of the railway goods yard until the 1970s. It is the last piece of the New England Quarter Masterplan which was started in 2001 when the area was divided into 15 blocks for regeneration.

This is the first investment that has drawn down money from the Government’s Growing Places Fund through Coast to Capital.

The LEP has £23 million of Government funding under the Growing Places Fund and expect to announce further loans soon.

Ron Crank, chief executive, Coast to Capital said “Our aim is to remove blockages that are preventing development and private sector employment. This is one of Coast to Capital’s major strategies. Substantial budgets have already been approved and further funding for projects will be announced shortly.”

Tim Wates, vice chairman of Coast to Capital and chairman of the Growing Places Committee, said: “This project is typical of those in which we would like to invest. We are looking for both the private and public sector to come forward with innovative projects that will provide employment in our area.”

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Comments (11)

Seriously? we have a glut of enpty office space which is impossible to let - check out the buildings on Preston Road. Also the last time I checked, the City had a fair few hotels including The Jury's Inn right next to the proposed development.

Seriously? we have a glut of enpty office space which is impossible to let - check out the buildings on Preston Road. Also the last time I checked, the City had a fair few hotels including The Jury's Inn right next to the proposed development.toldsloth

Seriously? we have a glut of enpty office space which is impossible to let - check out the buildings on Preston Road. Also the last time I checked, the City had a fair few hotels including The Jury's Inn right next to the proposed development.

Score: 0

Phani Tikkala says...1:53pm Tue 26 Feb 13

toldsloth wrote…

Seriously? we have a glut of enpty office space which is impossible to let - check out the buildings on Preston Road. Also the last time I checked, the City had a fair few hotels including The Jury's Inn right next to the proposed development.

Exactly... empty office space everywhere already.... old offices being converted into flats.... how exactly are the developers planning to get tenants?

[quote][p][bold]toldsloth[/bold] wrote:
Seriously? we have a glut of enpty office space which is impossible to let - check out the buildings on Preston Road. Also the last time I checked, the City had a fair few hotels including The Jury's Inn right next to the proposed development.[/p][/quote]Exactly... empty office space everywhere already.... old offices being converted into flats.... how exactly are the developers planning to get tenants?Phani Tikkala

toldsloth wrote…

Seriously? we have a glut of enpty office space which is impossible to let - check out the buildings on Preston Road. Also the last time I checked, the City had a fair few hotels including The Jury's Inn right next to the proposed development.

Exactly... empty office space everywhere already.... old offices being converted into flats.... how exactly are the developers planning to get tenants?

Score: 0

rolivan says...2:02pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Phani Tikkala wrote…

toldsloth wrote…

Seriously? we have a glut of enpty office space which is impossible to let - check out the buildings on Preston Road. Also the last time I checked, the City had a fair few hotels including The Jury's Inn right next to the proposed development.

Exactly... empty office space everywhere already.... old offices being converted into flats.... how exactly are the developers planning to get tenants?

Not only that anyone working there will have to reside outside the city so earnings will be spent elsewhere.

[quote][p][bold]Phani Tikkala[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]toldsloth[/bold] wrote:
Seriously? we have a glut of enpty office space which is impossible to let - check out the buildings on Preston Road. Also the last time I checked, the City had a fair few hotels including The Jury's Inn right next to the proposed development.[/p][/quote]Exactly... empty office space everywhere already.... old offices being converted into flats.... how exactly are the developers planning to get tenants?[/p][/quote]Not only that anyone working there will have to reside outside the city so earnings will be spent elsewhere.rolivan

Phani Tikkala wrote…

toldsloth wrote…

Seriously? we have a glut of enpty office space which is impossible to let - check out the buildings on Preston Road. Also the last time I checked, the City had a fair few hotels including The Jury's Inn right next to the proposed development.

Exactly... empty office space everywhere already.... old offices being converted into flats.... how exactly are the developers planning to get tenants?

Not only that anyone working there will have to reside outside the city so earnings will be spent elsewhere.

Score: 0

Crystal Ball says...2:05pm Tue 26 Feb 13

The existing offices are going to be demolished to make green spaces and cycle paths and the derelict land will have new offices built on them. Ta daa!

The existing offices are going to be demolished to make green spaces and cycle paths and the derelict land will have new offices built on them.
Ta daa!Crystal Ball

The existing offices are going to be demolished to make green spaces and cycle paths and the derelict land will have new offices built on them. Ta daa!

Score: 0

s_james says...2:31pm Tue 26 Feb 13

We actually have a relatively low level of vacant office space compared to other cities. There needs to be a certain level of empty premesis for the market to function properly. Older offices are often unsuitable for modern office requirements.

We actually have a relatively low level of vacant office space compared to other cities. There needs to be a certain level of empty premesis for the market to function properly. Older offices are often unsuitable for modern office requirements.s_james

We actually have a relatively low level of vacant office space compared to other cities. There needs to be a certain level of empty premesis for the market to function properly. Older offices are often unsuitable for modern office requirements.

Score: 0

rolivan says...2:35pm Tue 26 Feb 13

s_james wrote…

We actually have a relatively low level of vacant office space compared to other cities. There needs to be a certain level of empty premesis for the market to function properly. Older offices are often unsuitable for modern office requirements.

Does that apply to Residential as well?

[quote][p][bold]s_james[/bold] wrote:
We actually have a relatively low level of vacant office space compared to other cities. There needs to be a certain level of empty premesis for the market to function properly. Older offices are often unsuitable for modern office requirements.[/p][/quote]Does that apply to Residential as well?rolivan

s_james wrote…

We actually have a relatively low level of vacant office space compared to other cities. There needs to be a certain level of empty premesis for the market to function properly. Older offices are often unsuitable for modern office requirements.

Does that apply to Residential as well?

Score: 0

s_james says...2:55pm Tue 26 Feb 13

I would assume so - impossible to have every house occupied at all times otherwise it would be very diffocult to move

I would assume so - impossible to have every house occupied at all times otherwise it would be very diffocult to moves_james

I would assume so - impossible to have every house occupied at all times otherwise it would be very diffocult to move

Score: 0

toldsloth says...3:24pm Tue 26 Feb 13

s_james wrote…

We actually have a relatively low level of vacant office space compared to other cities. There needs to be a certain level of empty premesis for the market to function properly. Older offices are often unsuitable for modern office requirements.

There are at least three large and modern office buildings partially of completely vacant on Preston Road. These are not "unsuitable for modern office requirements" in the slightest yet this proposal want to add more. In fact there is vacant space in the Trfalgar House development.......im mediately adjacent to Brighton Station and.......immediatel y adjacent to the proposed new build! Seriously this is a pipe dream. The area could well do with some cost effective housing (not the hugely overpriced prison camp that is "the New England Sector". The problem is nobody wants to take the risk and would rather cadge money for a waste of time prestige pie in the sky development as this one. Here we go again - "Back to the 80's"!

[quote][p][bold]s_james[/bold] wrote:
We actually have a relatively low level of vacant office space compared to other cities. There needs to be a certain level of empty premesis for the market to function properly. Older offices are often unsuitable for modern office requirements.[/p][/quote]There are at least three large and modern office buildings partially of completely vacant on Preston Road. These are not "unsuitable for modern office requirements" in the slightest yet this proposal want to add more. In fact there is vacant space in the Trfalgar House development.......im
mediately adjacent to Brighton Station and.......immediatel
y adjacent to the proposed new build!
Seriously this is a pipe dream. The area could well do with some cost effective housing (not the hugely overpriced prison camp that is "the New England Sector". The problem is nobody wants to take the risk and would rather cadge money for a waste of time prestige pie in the sky development as this one. Here we go again - "Back to the 80's"!toldsloth

s_james wrote…

We actually have a relatively low level of vacant office space compared to other cities. There needs to be a certain level of empty premesis for the market to function properly. Older offices are often unsuitable for modern office requirements.

There are at least three large and modern office buildings partially of completely vacant on Preston Road. These are not "unsuitable for modern office requirements" in the slightest yet this proposal want to add more. In fact there is vacant space in the Trfalgar House development.......im mediately adjacent to Brighton Station and.......immediatel y adjacent to the proposed new build! Seriously this is a pipe dream. The area could well do with some cost effective housing (not the hugely overpriced prison camp that is "the New England Sector". The problem is nobody wants to take the risk and would rather cadge money for a waste of time prestige pie in the sky development as this one. Here we go again - "Back to the 80's"!

Score: 0

tradebooker says...3:33pm Tue 26 Feb 13

The whole New England quarter is horrible. Dark.. long walk from town, car unfriendly, no decent bars or restaurants... just look at the hundreds of unlived in flats!

The whole New England quarter is horrible. Dark.. long walk from town, car unfriendly, no decent bars or restaurants... just look at the hundreds of unlived in flats!tradebooker

The whole New England quarter is horrible. Dark.. long walk from town, car unfriendly, no decent bars or restaurants... just look at the hundreds of unlived in flats!

Score: 0

s_james says...3:55pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Yes there are some vacant offices on Preston Road, mainly because of the location. Companies want to be in the city centre.

Yes there are some vacant offices on Preston Road, mainly because of the location. Companies want to be in the city centre.s_james

Yes there are some vacant offices on Preston Road, mainly because of the location. Companies want to be in the city centre.

Score: 0

rolivan says...4:03pm Tue 26 Feb 13

s_james wrote…

Yes there are some vacant offices on Preston Road, mainly because of the location. Companies want to be in the city centre.

There is a Station at Preston Park it would only be a 5 minute walk.

[quote][p][bold]s_james[/bold] wrote:
Yes there are some vacant offices on Preston Road, mainly because of the location. Companies want to be in the city centre.[/p][/quote]There is a Station at Preston Park it would only be a 5 minute walk.rolivan

s_james wrote…

Yes there are some vacant offices on Preston Road, mainly because of the location. Companies want to be in the city centre.

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